A Relationship Between A 5′ Tall Blonde Goalie From A Made Up Sport And A Mouthy 5′3 Runaway With

3 quick and easy tricks to a good night's sleep, according to the magnus archives

find a corpse and commit identity theft to get on a research boat

Ensure that multiple people are buried alive and lie in a grave

Steal and secretly sign an evil inescapable employment contract

***results may vary, will not be effective if your name is Lydia Halligan, tma and affiliates are not responsible for any deaths or transformations resulting from these tips

neil, book one: anything romotely sketchy happens and i’m fucking out of here

neil, book three: kevin stop being a little bitch and tell the mafia boss to fuck off

Staff Recs: (some of) Our 2021 Faves

2021 is a wrap, but it won’t feel complete until we share some of our favourite fics of the year. Here’s our 2020 roundup, and check out our random recs and staff faves tags for more of what we love. We are happy to serve from our little corner of the fandom and wish you all a safe, healthy, and happy 2022. - AFTG Fic Rec Fam

wingpeople by likearecord [Rated T, 11313 Words, Complete, 2021]

I mean, what else could Nicky have done when he spotted Andrew smiling at the hot guy making his coffee?

Not meddle?

Not get all the Foxes on board?

It’s like you don’t even know him.

FUN FACTS: Uh. By our quasi-scientific research, this little number is the FANDOM FIC OF THE YEAR. It has the most kudos of any 2021 AFTG fic on AO3, and its random rec is our most liked post to date. 

finders keepers by moonix [Rated M, 40906 Words, Complete, 2021]

Andrew meets Nathaniel through a scavenger hunt app. As their team takes part in a hunt that sends each of them to creepy, abandoned places alone to solve clues and gain points, Andrew and Nathaniel begin a little treasure hunt of their own…

tw: body image issues

FUN FACTS: YOU GUYS. It’s sort of a confirmed rumour that moonix is reworking this into an original novel! Novella. Nutella?? Anyway, please read this secret identity puzzler with all the pride of knowing it sprouted in our fandom.

Shut Up and Dance (With Me) by OfficialStarsandGutters [Rated E, 168160 Words, Complete, 2021]

….Andrew Minyard dances alone. Everyone knows this. Until a wide eyed, desperate rabbit of a boy stumbles into his path, and he breaks his self imposed rule.

tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: torture, tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: implied/referenced self harm, tw: anxiety, tw: depression, tw: panic attacks, tw: implied/referenced drug abuse, tw: explicit sexual content, tw: implied/referenced eating disorder, tw: vomit, tw: graphic injuries, tw: non-consensual drug use

FUN FACTS: While you’re burrowed under the covers squinting to finish one more chapter, remember this was meant to be a one-shot! The dancing is fun and the andreil is delicious, but wow. The interpersonal relationships between the twins—and dare we say kevaaron—are GRIPPING. 

Was Sorta Hopin’ That You’d Stay by JayJFox [Rated M, 25740 Words, Complete, 2021]

Neil and Andrew have HATED each other since an incident in college. They really, really do. The Minyard-Josten rivalry is not a sham.

But now Andrew’s transferring to Neil’s team and all hell is about to break loose.

tw: alcohol, tw: implied/referenced self harm, tw: explicit sexual content

FUN FACTS: An enemies-to-lovers story with so much pranking and chest heaving PINING you have to wonder how they have time to play exy! It’s now part of a series with a kissing-filled-sequel-prequel, ‘Before I Hated You.’

12 Ways to Woo a Minyard by NikNak22 [Rated M, 69292 Words, Complete, 2021]

Neil is a math nerd who, by a stroke of dumb luck, falls into a group of friends that are the closest thing to family he’s ever had. So, when he tells them about his new mysterious crush, he shouldn’t be surprised how immediately they come up with a plan to help win them over…

FUN FACTS: This fic is just pure delight. You can tell Neil has caught Andrew’s attention but poor Neil doesn’t know, and the Foxes are at their meddling (and betting) best. 

never said that i didn’t need you by incogneat_oh [Rated T, 10458 Words, Complete, 2021]

Aaron and Andrew spend an evening hanging out in the emergency department.

tw: implied/referenced abuse

FUN FACTS: Do not pass go, do not collect $200—you don’t need it, AO3 is free! But do make haste to read this excellent take on some grudging twinyards healing post canon.

that’s just something people say by nanatsuyu [Rated T, 119396 Words, Complete, AFTG Big Bang 2021]

Neil makes the mistake of stealing the wrong car. Andrew makes the mistake of offering a ride to a liar. They both make the mistake of turning the whole affair into a road trip ‘home.’

tw: violence, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: panic attacks, tw: alcohol, tw: drugs, tw: implied/referenced torture

NB: companion art by @starcrossedfates​ here

FUN FACTS: This meet ugly turned andreil road trip is jam packed with character development and memorable moments. As time passes and truths are traded, Andrew is a goner. But can he trust a runner?

Tart by justadreamfox [Rated M, 11473 Words, Complete, AFTG Summer Exchange 2021]

In which Neil likes someone, Andrew makes an assumption, and Kevin is a really good friend.

FUN FACTS: The gang vacations in Uncle Stuart’s beach house with all the sand, sun, fruity drinks, and kissing you could hope for. Andrew just met Neil, but he’s already possessive and jealous of his touch and cuddle friendship with Kevin. We are so down for this.

The Massive Continuity of Ducks by fuzzballsheltiepants [Rated T, 12280 Words, Complete, AFTG Exchange Fall 2021]

Andrew Minyard had it all planned out. He’d drive home to New Hampshire for fall break, stopping to check out some law schools along the way and having his existential crisis in private. Except somehow Neil Josten ends up tagging along, and nothing ever goes quite as planned, does it?

tw: panic attacks

FUN FACTS: It was only a missed kiss—how did it end up like this?? So. Much. Pining. + Two. Clueless. Boys. + Ducks. = a fic you never knew you needed.

00:00 (Zero o'Clock) by shadowdreams [Rated G, 44364 Words, Complete, 2021]

Neil and the fail-safe 10-step plan to get the man of your dreams to fall in love with you!

FUN FACTS: It’s like…you start with this very narrow/tiny view of what’s going on and then it spirals outward and gets bigger and better as you go, and the pieces finally fall together in the last chapter with Neil’s pov. Bonus if you’re into it: Neil punches Roland in the face.

Ghost of You by Major_816 [Not Rated (we say T), 26756 Words, Complete, 2021]

After the events of Baltimore, the FBI convinces Nathaniel to join the Witness Protection Program at least until the rest of his father’s people have been arrested or found….AKA - the one where Neil hides.

tw: panic attacks, tw: self harm, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced torture

FUN FACTS: We found this imagining of Neil entering witsec instead of returning to the Foxes unputdownable. If you can handle angst with a happy ending, this one’s for you.

Before Rainfall by tsauergrass [Rated G, 2417 Words, Complete, 2021]

On his path were traces Neil had left: a dent in the couch, a mug half-full with coffee on the table. They were eleven hours apart and neither of them celebrated Christmas, but still Neil had come.

FUN FACTS: This is just stunning. Yearning for and missing each other from Andrew’s pov. Poetic. Lovely. A gem.

Inked Truths series by Paradoxolotl [Rated T/M/E, 130173 Words, Collection, Updated Sept 2021]

Part 1:  Brother of Mine (T, 11884 words)

Aaron should have known something was going on with Andrew when he had agreed to change their deal.

tw: implied/referenced self harm, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: car accident

Part 2:  Ink Stains and Paper Cuts (M, 38089 words)

….A boy with a razor tongue and secrets, Andrew can’t help but find himself interested in the stranger trading truths with him through poorly written letters.

tw: violence, tw: homophobia, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: dissociation, tw: self harm, tw: scars, tw: implied/referenced underage sex, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: drugs

Part 3: Ink Blotted Memories (E, 62353 words)

(Andrew has) already given up everything for Aaron, so he offers his twin a deal.

Besides, with Abram missing, he really has nothing left to lose. 

tw: violence, tw: nightmares, tw: blood & gore, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: child abuse, tw: drug addiction, tw: car accident, tw: minor character death, tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: withdrawal

Part 4: Inked On My Skin (E, 16841 words, incomplete)

…Andrew knows it’s only a matter of time. To gain something, you must always give something up. At the end of his time at PSU, he’ll have gained a piece of paper and lost everything else he once held close.

tw: homophobia, tw: scars, tw: self harm discussion, tw: drugs, tw: drug addiction, tw: alcohol abuse, tw: non-consensual drug use, tw: vomit, tw: withdrawal, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced suicide, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: panic attacks, tw: car accident

Part 5: Team Minyard (T, 1006 words)

It’s Andrew’s first game as a professional exy player, and some of his fans tune in to watch.

FUN FACTS: There is so much of canon here presented in slightly divergent ways. The angst and grit, the violence and loss. The protectiveness. The love. If you crave some good canon-verse Andrew pov—LIKE OF MATT’S TRIP TO EDEN’S WITH THE MONSTERS (in part 4)—this is for you. 

prove your love by bazookajo94 [Rated T, 6537 Words, Complete, AFTG Exchange Spring 2021]

To boost office morale, Andrew and Aaron’s company puts together a week-long Valentine’s Day event, complete with increasingly embarrassing activities that must be completed as a pair. The winners get two free vacation days.

Andrew picks some random man off the street. Aaron asks his long-time work crush and lunch buddy.

Guess which couple wins.

FUN FACTS: Andrew and whoever that guy is keep winning and are publicly flirting (wait, is that foreplay?) 🤔 Aaron keeps forgetting to be mad about it because his secret crush is so dang adorkable.

congrats to elmax for being literally the only gay ship in stranger things that managed to thrive in vol. 2

I am so sorry to anyone who follows me and has seen a sudden burst of psych (2006 show) on their page because of me its becoming a new fixation

Girlies listening to descriptions of the most horrifying things you’ve ever heard in their favorite podcast

(It’s me I’m girlies)

(inspired very much by this lovely post)

Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter. Art for Azoth by @lol-zeitgeistic

https://archiveofourown.org/works/1049966/chapters/2100285

Українською "Живе срібло" від lbuprofenix https://archiveofourown.org/works/44079736/chapters/110832790

Neil: bandaged up, covered with plastic bags, hot mess

Andrew:

Okay, i really saw this on time. Just talked with my ex friend and he was asking for my forgiveness, 'cause he stopped texting me about 6-7 months ago and he missed, but not me. He missed himself when he was talking to me. I tried talking to him about this earlier, but he wasn't really answering, so i've just stopped talking to him. And now he wanted something from me. Funny

Live your life in your way …